“Persecution comes for your faith at times, and it’s probably best, in my opinion, to not be making fun of Jesus in any way. I don’t know if that’s what they were doing, but he’s our Savior. He’s someone that’s revered,” Osteen said, going on to call Tebow a good guy.

The Houston pastor was on set in New York this morning to encourage Today show views to focus on giving and making memories around Christmas, rather than buying presents.

He responded to questions about dealing with holiday hoopla if you’re not in the Christmas spirit, speaking affirmations and blessings much like he does in weekly broadcasts from Lakewood Church.

“I think sometimes we’re looking for that perfect Christmas, for everybody to be home, for the gifts to be perfect and the food, but that’s not always a reality. If it’s not the perfect Christmas, just make this Christmas the best that it can be with the people we have,” he said. “You just have to realize the true meaning isn’t about what you’re gonna get, but what you can give, how can you make that memory with someone else.”